Crystal Palace Baltimore won their second consecutive match at the weekend as they defeated the Hogges 2-1 at Bermuda's National Stadium. The match developed in much the same way as Palace's previous win, as Baltimore took the lead mid-way through the first half, extending it early in the second, then conceded a very late goal to make for a tense final spell. This time around, it was Pat Healey who gave Palace the lead, while Val Teixeira again scored the deciding goal and, after the Hogges had pulled one back on 86 minutes, a missed Bermuda penalty kick provided added drama in injury time. The win moves Palace up to second place in the standings, a point behind Harrisburg who host Real Maryland on Saturday night.

Last weekend, Healey set up Palace's opening goal with a perfect, lofted pass onto the head of Machel Millwood. On this occasion, Healey was on the receiving end of a wonderful attacking build-up as the ball came to Machel Millwood, who laid it back to Paul Robson. The Englishman fed Jordan Seabrook who split the Hogges defence and crossed to Healey at the far post where he buried the header to give Palace the lead with 22 minutes gone.

Nine minutes into the second half, Val Teixeira (pictured right) notched his second goal in as many games to extend the lead. The Palace captain stole the ball off a Hogges defender, beat another and, seeing their 'keeper well off his line, curled a perfect shot over him from 20 yards to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Just as in the game with Wilmington six days ago, Palace conceded a goal in the dying minutes to set up a tense final spell. With four minutes remaining the Hogges sent a free-kick into the box and in a crowded box the ball fell to substitute Lloyd Holder and he finished from close range giving Bermuda a glimmer of hope.

Bermuda had a golden opportunity to salvage a point when the referee awarded a dubious penalty to the Hogges in the second minute of injury time.

The effort struck the post however, rebounding back into play only to be cleared by Baltimore. Five more minutes of stoppage were played during which Bermuda continued to push everyone forward, exposing themselves to the counter-attack. The Palace back line held strong, while striker Millwood nearly capitalised on a pair of breakaway opportunities. The score remained 2-1 and Palace had their second consecutive victory after going five matches without a win.

Palace return home for a local derby against Real Maryland at Broadneck High School on Thursday, June 25th at 7:30pm.